Maria Reis Death, Obituary – At the age of 90, Sister Maria Grace Reis C.P., who was also known as Sister Benita O.S.B., passed away at Saint Walburgs Infirmary on December 19th, 2022. She died peacefully and went to be with the Lord. She was born into the family of Martha (who had previously been married to Faulhaber) and Lawrence Reis. She attended Saints Peter and Paul School in California, Kentucky, as well as Campbell County High School and graduated from both. She answered the call of God on her life to devote herself to the service of others by becoming a nun and joining the Benedictines of St. Walburg’s monastery in Villa Hills, where she was given the name Sister Benita, O.S.B.
It was there that she started her journey toward obtaining a higher education in order to prepare for service in the fields of nursing (at the St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing), psychology (at Xavier University), and theology (at St. John’s University, in Collegeville, Minnesota). She joined the Passionist Nuns in the late 1960s after making the transition. The education that she obtained while she was a Benedictine was of tremendous value to the Passionist Congregation. Her parents and her brothers Arthur and Theresa (both nee Kramer) Reis, as well as Ronald (whose sister Helen nee Kramer survived him) Reis all passed away before her.
She is survived by her sisters Frances Verst (whom her husband Leo predeceased), Rhea Rauch (whom her husband Michael predeceased), and Leah Carmack (whom her husband Gary predeceased). In addition, a large number of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 26, 2022, at the Passionist Nuns’ Chapel from 3 to 7 p.m., and again on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 10 a.m., prior to the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. We count it a privilege to have Bishop John Iffert preside over this congregation. Immediately after the service, burial will take place at the cemetery belonging to the Passionist Nuns.
Her family, friends, and community will miss her tremendously because she was a soul of peace. Sister Maria Grace will not be forgotten. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Benedictine Sisters at 2500 Amsterdam Road in Villa Hills, Kentucky 41017 or the Passionist Nuns at 1151 Donaldson Highway in Erlanger, Kentucky 41018. The family is being cared for by Cooper Funeral Home.